[RipSawyer]

Surely you understand this.>>>>>>>>>

I understand this perfectly, my point is that some on this thread consider the act of baptism itself to have some power, without going into all the other aspects of belief, it should be obvious to anyone that a mere physical act confers nothing. Baptism is a mere outward symbol.

[adiaireton8]

it should be obvious to anyone that a mere physical act confers nothing. Baptism is a mere outward symbol.

How do you know that it is a mere physical act?

-A8

[Hound of the Baskervilles]

"I understand this perfectly, my point is that some on this thread consider the act of baptism itself to have some power, without going into all the other aspects of belief, it should be obvious to anyone that a mere physical act confers nothing. Baptism is a mere outward symbol."

First, there is nothing MERE about anything done in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Baptism confers the grace of God, freely given. The Church, at the command of God baptizes children to engender in them the life of grace and remove original sin. But that's not where it stops. The parents and the Christian community must help the child to make use of that grace through ongoing exposures to the Word and the Sacraments.